Our Summary

This research paper from Thailand looked at the rate of repeat operations for a particular type of breast cancer surgery in cases where a certain procedure was not followed. The procedure in question involves sending biopsied tissue to the lab for immediate testing during the surgery. Instead, the tissue was sent for more thorough testing after the surgery. The study looked at 239 cases over a five year period and found that none of the patients needed a second surgery. The researchers concluded that skipping the immediate testing did not change the outcome for the patients, and could actually lead to benefits such as reduced surgery costs, less time in surgery, and fewer side effects from anesthesia.

FAQs

  1. What is the procedure that was not followed during the breast cancer surgery in this research?
  2. What were the potential benefits of skipping the immediate testing of biopsied tissue as mentioned in the study?
  3. Did the lack of immediate testing affect the number of repeat operations needed, according to the research?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing a sentinel lymph node biopsy that immediate testing of biopsied tissue during the surgery may not be necessary and skipping this step could potentially reduce the need for a second surgery, lower costs, decrease time in surgery, and minimize side effects from anesthesia. It is important to discuss this option with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your individual case.

Suitable For

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is typically recommended for patients with early-stage breast cancer who have a small tumor size, negative lymph nodes on imaging, and no clinical signs of lymph node involvement. This procedure helps determine if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, which can affect treatment decisions and prognosis. Additionally, sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended for patients with other types of cancer, such as melanoma, where lymph node involvement is a concern.

Timeline

Before sentinel lymph node biopsy:

  1. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests such as mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI to identify suspicious areas in the breast.
  2. If a biopsy is recommended, a tissue sample is taken from the suspicious area for further testing.
  3. If the biopsy results show cancer, the patient may undergo additional imaging tests to determine the extent of the disease.
  4. If the cancer is found to have spread to the lymph nodes, a sentinel lymph node biopsy may be recommended to determine the stage of the cancer.

After sentinel lymph node biopsy:

  1. The patient undergoes surgery to remove the sentinel lymph nodes, which are the first lymph nodes to receive drainage from the primary tumor.
  2. The removed lymph nodes are sent to the lab for immediate testing to determine if they contain cancer cells.
  3. If cancer cells are found in the sentinel lymph nodes, additional treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be recommended.
  4. If no cancer cells are found in the sentinel lymph nodes, the patient may be spared from additional treatments and have a lower risk of cancer recurrence.
  5. The patient may experience side effects such as pain, swelling, or numbness in the arm where the lymph nodes were removed.
  6. Follow-up appointments and monitoring may be scheduled to ensure the cancer does not return.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is a sentinel lymph node biopsy and why is it recommended for my case?
  2. What are the risks and benefits of having a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
  3. How will the results of the biopsy affect my treatment plan?
  4. Are there any alternative options to a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
  5. What is the success rate of a sentinel lymph node biopsy in accurately determining if cancer has spread?
  6. How long will it take to receive the results of the biopsy?
  7. What are the potential complications or side effects of a sentinel lymph node biopsy?
  8. Will I need to undergo any additional treatments or procedures based on the results of the biopsy?
  9. How experienced are you in performing sentinel lymph node biopsies?
  10. What should I expect during the recovery process after the biopsy?

Reference

Authors: Treeratanapun N, Lerttiendamrong B, Vacharathit V, Tantiphlachiva K, Vongwattanakit P, Manasnayakorn S, Vongsaisuwon M. Journal: BMC Surg. 2022 Jul 6;22(1):261. doi: 10.1186/s12893-022-01709-6. PMID: 35794594